Emphasizing the critical role of birds in maintaining ecological balance and addressing the emerging climate challenges, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today said that avian conservation is indispensable for sustaining biodiversity, ensuring ecosystem stability and strengthening the climate resilience in fragile regions like Jammu and Kashmir.

The Minister was addressing the valedictory function of the National Symposium on Avian Biology organized at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir, where he attended as the chief guest.

Addressing a distinguished gathering of scientists, conservationists, researchers and students from across the country, the Minister highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s extraordinary avian wealth, noting that the Union Territory hosts nearly 600 recorded bird species across its wetlands, forests, alpine habitats and riverine ecosystems. He said several of these species are rare, migratory and habitat-sensitive, making the region one of India’s most significant biodiversity hotspots.

“Birds are not merely components of our natural heritage; they are essential indicators of environmental health and play a foundational role in sustaining ecosystems through pollination, seed dispersal, pest regulation, scavenging and nutrient cycling,” the Minister said.

He observed that avian species serve as natural sentinels of environmental change, with shifts in bird populations often providing early warning signals of habitat degradation, climate disruption and ecological imbalance.

Expressing concern over mounting climate-related pressures, the Minister said that rapid habitat loss, shrinking wetlands, changing migratory patterns, erratic weather events and rising anthropogenic pressures are posing serious threats to avian diversity globally and particularly in ecologically sensitive Himalayan landscapes.

He stressed that addressing these challenges requires a multi-dimensional approach rooted in scientific research, habitat restoration, stronger policy interventions and active community participation.

Javid Dar described the symposium as a timely and visionary initiative that would significantly contribute towards advancing avian research, ecological monitoring and collaborative conservation efforts in India. He said that such academic platforms are essential for fostering dialogue between scientists, policymakers and local stakeholders to evolve sustainable conservation frameworks capable of responding to present and future environmental challenges.

Highlighting the economic and ecological opportunities linked to avian biodiversity, the Minister said Jammu and Kashmir’s pristine lakes, marshes, mountain ranges and river valleys attract birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, researchers and eco-tourists from across the globe.

He said that bird-based ecotourism and nature tourism hold immense potential for generating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local communities while simultaneously incentivizing habitat conservation.

The Minister congratulated SKUAST-Kashmir, the organizers and the Association of Avian Biologists in India (AABI) for successfully bringing together the leading experts, scholars and conservation practitioners on one platform to deliberate upon issues of avian biology and conservation.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to ecological preservation, he said the Jammu and Kashmir government remains steadfast in protecting the region’s rich natural heritage and promoting development models that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

“Conservation of birds is intrinsically linked to the conservation of our forests, wetlands and water systems. Protecting avian biodiversity is, therefore, central to safeguarding our ecological future,” he remarked.

Among the distinguished dignitaries present on the occasion were Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir,

Dr. Khursheed Ahmad, Professor L. S. Shashidhara, Director NCBS Bangalore, Professor Anand S. Dixit, President AABI besides eminent scientists, researchers and students from various institutions across the country.